Unravelling the Synergy between Phase Engineering and Interface Regulation in TiO₂/1T-Rich MoSe₂ Heterostructures for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Phase engineering and interface regulation are effective tactics to improve photocatalytic performance. Combining these two effects in one photocatalytic heterostructure is challenging but has yet to be achieved. In this paper, a 0D/2D photocatalytic heterostructure targeting efficient visible-light-driven H2 generation was constructed via a facile in situ hydrothermal approach, where 2D MoSe2 nanosheets with rich 1T-phase were tightly grown on the surface of 0D TiO2 nanoparticles. The synergy of the maximized cocatalytic effect of 1T-rich MoSe2 via phase engineering and the optimized contact interface with suitable interfacial barrier between the 1T-rich MoSe2 and TiO2 can accelerate the charge carrier separation to promote photocatalysis efficiency. Consequently, the H2 yield from pure water of the optimal TiO2/1T-rich MoSe2 hybrid was 17.0 mmol g–1, which was 77.6- and 20.0-times higher than that of pure TiO2 or a physical mixture of TiO2 and 1T-rich MoSe2, respectively. The H2 yield from seawater of the optimal TiO2/1T-rich MoSe2 also can reach 1.05 mmol g–1 h–1. This study proclaims the considerable synergistic effect of phase engineering and interface regulation in a photocatalytic system and provides a valuable thread for the construction of an efficient photocatalysts.

Preparation of Mesoporous TiO2/Co3O4 Nanosheets for Efficient Photocatalytic Oxygen and Hydrogen Evolution

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Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production and simultaneous benzyl alcohol oxidation by modulating the Schottky barrier with nano high-entropy alloys

“…Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop more energy alternatives to meet the current demand. Solar energy, being an infinite and the largest source of energy, stands in contrast to finite and depletable fossil fuels [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Among various solar energy conversion technologies, semiconductor-based photocatalytic hydrogen production has received much attention as one of the cleanest energy sources in terms of high energy storage and low consumption [12][13][14][15][16][17][18].…”

A 1T-WS2 “electron pump” regulates charge transfer over ZnCdS/NiV-LDH p–n heterostructures for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

“…The high conductivity of 1T metal phase TMDs can promote the transfer of photogenerated charges during hydrogen evolution and increase the catalytic activity. 32 VIB metal chalcogenides (MoS 2 , WS 2 , MoSe 2 , etc. ) are a magical family of cocatalysts.…”